Endocrinology (including Diabetes)/Is my mom diabetic?

My mom had random glucose tested for, in 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2012. Every time it had exceeded by mild range to be in between 160-170 when normal, allowed range is 140 (max). We took Glucose (fasting) test, y'day. Result is 101 when normal range is 70-100.

Is my mom diabetic? What care should be taken? In cholestrol too, she is among average risk category..

AnswerBragadeesh,
Based on the random values you told me and her fasting result, it appears that your mother at least has prediabetes. Usually random glucose values exceed 200 mg/dl for a diabetes diagnosis, and the fasting values are 126 or greater. Prediabetes (insulin resistance) is usually a fasting value of 100-125. She needs to start making positive lifestyle changes now to help prevent it from progressing to type 2 diabetes, which include doing some regular physical activity, possibly moderating her intake of carbohydrates (particularly starchy foods like rice), controlling her mental stress levels, and getting enough sleep. I do have a lot of articles about making lifestyle changes included on my web site (www.shericolberg.com) that may be helpful for you/her. She can keep diabetes at bay, but it takes an effort as she gets older. Sheri

Expertise

I am an exercise physiologist with a PhD who specializes in diabetes--as such I CANNOT answer general questions about other endocrine problems as I am neither an expert in all areas of endocrinology nor am I a medical doctor. My expertise lies in answering questions about diabetes (of any type) and physical activity, so please limit your questions to those areas. I can help you if you want to begin exercise or if you're already a diabetic athlete, and I am prepared to respond to questions about physical activity to which even your diabetologist may not know the answer. I can give suggestions about changes in your diabetic medications that differing types and intensities of exercise may necessitate, but I will have to refer you to your regular health care team to get final approval to make such changes. I can also answer questions about physical fitness, exercise metabolism, prediabetes reversal, and prevention of type 2 diabetes and diabetic complications.

Experience

I have both personal and professional experience in the areas of diabetes and exercise/physical activity. On a personal level, I have had type 1 diabetes since 1968, and I have been an avid exerciser since I was a child. Professionally, I have been conducting clinical studies on diabetes and exercise since 1992, largely with funding from the American Diabetes Association. I am also the author of 8 books related to diabetes, exercise, and more: The Diabetic Athlete (2001), Diabetes-Free Kids (2005), The 7 Step Diabetes Fitness Plan (2006), 50 Secrets of the Longest Living People with Diabetes (2007), The Science of Staying Young (2007), Matt Hoover's Guide to Life, Love, and Losing Weight (2008), Diabetic Athlete's Handbook (2009), and Diabetes? No Problema! (2009).

OrganizationsI am a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, a professional member of the American Diabetes Association (and professional volunteer for the ADA), and a former member of the Board of Directors of the Diabetes Exercise & Sports Association.

Education/CredentialsI have an undergraduate degree (1985) from Stanford University, a Master's degree in exercise physiology (1987) from the University of California, Davis, and a Ph.D. (1992) from the University of California, Berkeley, in the same field. I also spent two years in an NIH-funded postdoctoral research position in endocrinology (studying obesity, diabetes, metabolism, and exercise) at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (1993-1994).

Awards and Honors• Fellow, American College of Sports Medicine (FACSM) - 1996
• Old Dominion University Darden College of Education Young Investigator Grant Award – 2003
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Old Dominion University Chapter – 2004-Present
• Great Women of the 21st Century by the American Biographical Institute – 2005 Edition
• Old Dominion University Darden College of Education Largest Research Grant Award – 2006
• Old Dominion University Darden College of Education Publications Award (for greatest number) – 2006
• Saint Louis University, The Max K. Horwitt Memorial Lecture Distinguished Lectureship Award – 2008
• Old Dominion University Darden College of Education Publications Award – 2009
• Old Dominion University Darden College of Research Grants Award – 2009